Dishwasher

ABSTRACT

A dishwasher ( 200 ) is dislosed which is suitable for mounting within a cavity under a bench. The dishwasher is chassis less and includes no outer wrapper or cabinet and as such is mounted directly to the cavity. Also disclosed are a number of embodiments relating to mechanisms for closing the lid ( 217 ) on the retractable drawer wash system and various methods for sealing the lid onto the wash drawer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to dishwashers and in particular but not solelyto a dishwasher of the type disclosed in the applicant's internationalpatent specification WO 93/12706.

BACKGROUND ART

The dishwasher of WO 93/12706 has a form generally indicated in FIGS. 1and 2 and installation options as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. The dishwasherdisclosed in WO 93/12706 differs from conventional dishwashers in that awash chamber and associated wash system is slidably mounted in the formof a drawer within a cabinet and the chamber is withdrawn horizontallyto allow loading through the open top of the chamber. When the chamberis retracted an associated lid sealably closes off the top of thechamber to contain wash liquid in operation. The dishwasher of WO93/12706 includes a cabinet or wrapper 203 wherein which all workingcomponents are housed. The cabinet acts as a chassis and a high finishwrapper. In use dishwashers are usually mounted in kitchen joinery andrarely used in a free-standing mode. When so used the presence of a highfinish wrapper is redundant and constitutes an unnecessary manufacturingcost.

In WO 93/12706 the wash chamber lid is of unitary construction movablyretained in the top of the cabinet and engaged by the wash chamber onretraction to move down onto the top of the wash chamber using aparallelogram linkage and cam mechanism. In practice it has been foundthat other types of wash chamber covers may be satisfactory and may havebetter production economics.

WO 98/33426 discloses a dishwasher similar to that depicted in FIGS.1–6. In one preferred form it uses an inflatable gasket to seal thedrawer when it is retracted into the cabinet. However, this may affectproduct reliability and impact on user satisfaction. The gasketinflation and deflation time may inconvenience the user with respect tothe delays in opening the drawer mid-cycle and the rubber gasket maydeteriorate over time creating maintenance problems.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dishwasher of thetype described which goes some way towards overcoming theabove-mentioned disadvantages, or which will at least provide the publicwith a useful choice.

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in awashing appliance adapted to be mounted in a cavity comprising:

-   -   (a) means for transporting a wash system adapted to be mounted        to at least one inner face of said cavity,    -   (b) a wash system slidably mounted to said means for        transporting whereby in use said wash system may be withdrawn        horizontally out of said cavity for access thereto, said wash        system including:        -   (i) an open top wash chamber adapted to accommodate items to            be washed and within which wash liquid is circulated, said            wash chamber having a top peripheral rim,        -   (ii) means for introducing and circulating wash liquid            within said chamber,        -   (iii) means for evacuating wash liquid from said chamber,            and,    -   (c) a wash chamber closure mounted to said means for        transporting a wash system, which closure covers the open top of        said wash chamber on retraction of the wash chamber into said        cavity,    -   (d) said closure having peripheral means which cooperate with        the top of said chamber in the vicinity of said rim thereby        preventing the egress of wash liquid from the wash chamber, when        it is retracted into said cavity.

Preferably, said closure is a rigid lid.

Preferably, said peripheral means comprise a sealing member disposedabout the periphery of the under side of said lid to inter-engage withthe rim of said chamber when said wash chamber is retracted into saidcavity.

Preferably, said washing appliance further comprises a cam arrangementincluding a cam surface adapted to connect to a stationary point withinsaid cavity, a cam-follower connected to said closure and adapted tointeract with said cam surface, and an elastically deformable memberadapted to be compressed between said cam-follower and a stationarypoint within said cavity, to provide the closure with two degrees offreedom such that an inwardly directed force causes said closure to moveinwardly and downwardly and an outwardly directed force causes saidclosure to move outwardly and upwardly, and complementary abutting meansprovided on said closure and said wash chamber, said means abutting onsubstantially full retraction of said wash chamber within said cavityand on initial withdrawal of said wash chamber from within said cavitywith continued displacement of said wash chamber after abutmentproviding respective closing and opening forces to said closure to causeit to close against or open away from said wash chamber opening.

Alternatively, said washing appliance further comprises a linkagearrangement including at least one hinged link member, one end of eachmember being hingably connected to said transport means and the otherend of each member being hingably connected to said closure, to providethe closure with two degrees of freedom such that an inwardly directedforce causes said closure to move inwardly and downwardly and anoutwardly directed force causes said closure to move outwardly andupwardly, and complementary abutting means provided on said closure andsaid wash chamber, said means abutting on substantially full retractionof said wash chamber within said cavity and on initial withdrawal ofsaid wash chamber from within said cavity with continued displacement ofsaid wash chamber after abutment providing respective closing andopening forces to said closure to cause it to close against or open awayfrom said wash chamber opening.

Preferably, said closure is a flexible member which is extended onretraction of said wash chamber to cover the open top of said chamberand is retracted on withdrawal of said chamber to uncover the open topof said chamber.

Preferably, said flexible member is a flexible sheet fastened at one endto a distal portion of said rim and fixed on a spring-loaded roller atthe other end, said roller mounted in the top of said cabinet near thefront opening in the cabinet and above a proximal portion of said rim,said roller taking up substantially all of the area of said flexiblemember when the chamber is withdrawn.

Preferably, said flexible member is of concertina configuration and isfastened at one end to a distal portion of said rim and fixed at theother end to the top of the front opening of said cabinet.

In a second aspect the invention consists in a washing appliancecomprising:

-   -   (a) a wash system adapted to be slidable mounted in such a        manner that it may be withdrawn horizontally for access thereto,        said wash system including:        -   (i) an open top wash chamber adapted to accommodate items to            be washed and within which wash liquid is circulated, said            wash chamber having a top peripheral rim,        -   (ii) means for introducing and circulating wash liquid            within said chamber,        -   (iii) means for evacuating wash liquid from said chamber,    -   (b) a wash chamber closure, and    -   (c) a cam arrangement including a cam surface adapted to connect        to a stationary point, a cam-follower connected to said closure        and adapted to interact with said cam surface, and an        elastically deformable member adapted to be compressed between        said cam-follower and a stationary point, to provide the closure        with two degrees of freedom such that an inwardly directed force        causes said closure to move inwardly and downwardly and an        outwardly directed force causes said closure to move outwardly        and upwardly, and complementary abutting means provided on said        closure and said wash chamber, said means abutting on        substantially full retraction of said wash chamber within said        cabinet and on initial withdrawal of said wash chamber with        continued displacement of said wash chamber after abutment        providing respective closing and opening forces to said closure        to cause it to close against or open away from said wash chamber        opening.

Preferably, when said chamber is fully retracted the entire downwardforce on said closure is provided by said elastically deformable member.

Preferably, said elastically deformable member is a torsional spring.

In a third aspect the invention consists in a washing appliancecomprising:

-   -   (a) a wash system adapted to be slidable mounted in such a        manner that it may be withdrawn horizontally for access thereto,        said wash system including:        -   (i) an open top wash chamber adapted to accommodate items to            be washed and within which wash liquid is circulated, said            wash chamber having a top peripheral rim,        -   (ii) means for introducing and circulating wash liquid            within said chamber,        -   (iii) means for evacuating wash liquid from said chamber,    -   (b) a wash chamber closure, and    -   (c) a linkage arrangement including at least one hinged link        member, one end of each member being adapted to hingably connect        to a stationary pivot point and the other end of each member        being hingably connected to said closure, to provide the closure        with two degrees of freedom such that an inwardly directed force        causes said closure to move inwardly and downwardly and an        outwardly directed force causes said closure to move outwardly        and upwardly, and complementary abutting means provided on said        closure and said wash chamber, said means abutting on        substantially full retraction of said wash chamber and on        initial withdrawal of said wash chamber with continued        displacement of said wash chamber after abutment providing        respective closing and opening forces to said closure to cause        it to close against or open away from said wash chamber opening.

In a forth aspect the present invention consists in a gasket for adishwasher including at least one slidable open top wash chamber and awash chamber closure for each respective wash chamber, said gasketcomprising:

-   -   (a) a first downward facing flexible flange having a first        distal edge and a first proximate edge, said proximate edge        attached to the bottom surface of said closure around the        periphery thereof, at an angle of between 0° and 90°, with        respect to said bottom surface, and    -   (b) a second downward facing flexible flange having a second        distal edge and a second proximate edge, said second proximate        edge attached to the first distal edge of said first flange at a        second angle of between 90° and 180° concurrent with said first        angle,        wherein in use when said closure is engaged with the opening of        said wash chamber, said first flange and said second flange        deform such that when said closure is fully engaged with said        opening, said first distal edge and said second distal edge bear        substantial similar loads.

Preferably, said first angle is 45°.

Preferably, said second angle is 135°.

Preferably, said gasket is “L” shaped in cross-section.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changesin construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of theinvention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and thedescriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to bein any sense limiting.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructionsof which the following gives examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One preferred form of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows in diagrammatic form a drawer type dishwasher,

FIGS. 2 and 3 shows in diagrammatic form the dishwasher plumbing andwiring systems with the wash chamber in the closed and open positionsrespectively,

FIGS. 4 to 6 show a selection of ways in which dishwashers of the typein WO 93/12706 and in the present specification may be mounted in amodular fashion in a kitchen installation,

FIG. 7 shows a ‘two drawer’ single cabinet dishwasher according theprior art,

FIG. 8 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showingthe wash system mounted underneath a bench with the front of the drawercutaway,

FIG. 9 is a more detailed view of the wash system shown in FIG. 9,

FIG. 10 is a front view of an embodiment of the present inventionshowing with the front of the drawer being cutaway,

FIG. 11 is a side view of the present invention with the drawer pulledout,

FIG. 12 shows a further method of sealing an open topped wash chamberusing a rigid lid,

FIG. 13 shows a method of sealing an open topped wash chamber using aflexible closure member,

FIGS. 14 and 15 show an alternative method of sealing an open toppedwash chamber using a flexible closure,

FIGS. 16 and 17 show diagrammatically a further method of sealing anopen topped wash chamber with a rigid lid,

FIGS. 18 and 19 show in diagrammatic form a means of sealing an open topwash chamber with a rigid lid using an inflatable gasket,

FIG. 20 shows a partial section through a dishwasher incorporating thesealing method shown in FIGS. 18 and 19,

FIGS. 21 and 22 show an alternative method of sealing an open toppedwash chamber with a rigid lid,

FIGS. 23 and 24 show diagrammatically a further method of sealing anopen topped wash chamber with a rigid lid,

FIG. 25 is a side view of the closure opening mechanism using a hingedarm,

FIG. 26 is a detailed view of the linkage arrangement in FIG. 25 inisolation,

FIG. 27 is a side view of the lid gasket, in isolation,

FIG. 28 is a side view of the closure opening mechanism using a rollerand cam,

FIG. 29 is a detailed view of the linkage arrangement in FIG. 28 inisolation, with the wash chamber retracted,

FIG. 30 is a detailed view of the linkage arrangement in FIG. 29 inisolation, with the wash chamber partially withdrawn,

FIG. 31 shows a diagrammatic view of an alternative construction forclosing a wash chamber when a fixed lid is used,

FIG. 32 shows a diagrammatic view of an alternative construction forclosing a wash chamber when a fixed lid is used by making use of amoveable seal support carrier,

FIG. 33 shows a diagrammatic cross-section of a wash chamber andassociated lid which is lowered to close the wash chamber by a storedspring energy system,

FIG. 34 shows a partial isometric cross-section of the mechanismillustrated in FIG. 33,

FIG. 35 shows diagrammatically yet a further alternative closure systemfor a wash chamber using an endless belt,

FIGS. 36 and 37 show supplementary sealing members for a wash chamberclosure, and

FIGS. 38 to 40 show diagrammatically a wash chamber closure systememploying a spring loaded cam and cam follower lid lowering mechanism.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present dishwasher 200 is of the type illustrated in FIG. 1. A washchamber 201 (with all wash system components) fitted with a front panel202 is slidably mounted within a cavity 203 in a ‘drawer’ arrangement.The wash chamber has an open top and is withdrawn from the cavity in thedirection of the arrow to allow loading and unloading of dishes and isretracted into cavity 203 during washing. The wash and drain systems arefitted within wash chamber 201 including a motor and pumps. Flexibleconnecting wiring and plumbing 228 couple the wash chamber to therelevant terminations within the cavity in the manner indicated in FIGS.2 and 3. The dishwasher controller may be mounted in the cabinet or inthe sliding wash system.

The dishwasher is usually constructed with a height dimensionapproximately half that of conventional front-loading domesticdishwashers. In this form it can be used alone or as one of a number,more usually one of a pair of such dishwashers. FIGS. 4 to 6 showinstallation concepts using one or two dishwashers using this modularconcept. In FIG. 4, two such dishwashers 200 are shown stacked one abovethe other under a sink bench 1 which will typically be between 850 and900 mm above floor level. In FIG. 5 two dishwashers 200 are shownmounted one on either side of a sink forming part of the sink bench 1.In FIG. 6 only a single dishwasher 200 is provided under a sink bench 1.Because of the reduced height dimension a dishwasher according to theinvention could also be bench mounted.

From FIG. 4 it can be seen that when two modular dishwasher units 200are stacked one above the other the configuration is similar in externaldimensions to conventional dishwashers. Two modular units 200 installedside by side immediately under a bench top as in FIG. 5 offer the samecapacity as a conventional dishwasher but avoid the inconvenience of auser having to bend down to reach the lower half of the dishwasher.

Some pair arrangements could be manufactured as such rather than pairingtwo individual modules at installation. For example the two dishwasher‘over and under’ configuration shown in FIG. 4 can be manufactured in asingle external envelope or cabinet and provided for installation as aunitary machine. Such a two drawer machine is shown in FIG. 7,comprising a single cabinet 207 which houses two drawer type washchambers 202 a and 202 b. The drawer fronts are each provided with anaesthetically pleasing facia.

A two drawer machine of this type allows for considerable flexibility inoperating modes. These include:

-   -   1. One module operating, or two modules operating simultaneously        with a mixed dish load. With each module capable of        accommodating the largest item of dish load, this concept offers        an increased capacity for large items.    -   2. One or both modules operating, but not necessarily        simultaneously, where each module has either lightly soiled or        heavily soiled dish load, and the appropriate wash programme set        to suit the individual module.    -   3. One module being gradually filled with soiled dishes, while        the second module is being emptied only as its clean dish load        is being reused. For reasons of hygiene this is not practical        with single dishwashers.    -   4. One module programmed for lightly soiled loads and the other        module for heavily soiled loads.    -   5. One module switched on as soon as it has been filled with        soiled dishes. That is, smaller loads may be efficiently washed.        Base Module

Whereas previous versions of drawer type dishwashers have included acabinet and chassis the improvement that is the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, provides a dishwashingsystem which is directly fixed to joinery and does not include a cabinetor chassis. The base module 300 may be attached by any suitablefastening means 301 such as bolts or wood screws into the adjacentvertical members 302 inside the cavity 310. The base module 300 beingthus restrained, when the wash chamber 308 is withdrawn, any rackingforces will be borne by the vertical members 302 of the bench 304.

The wash chamber 308 is slidable in and out of the cavity 310 by meansof sliding rails 306 integrated with the base module 300. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the base module 300effectively comprises the mounting between the sliding rails 310 and thevertical members 302 and provision for water supply and waste. In thisfashion as previously described, two such washing modules might belocated in the same cavity in the under and over configuration, or sideby side in adjacent cavities.

Drawer Closure

In a washing machine as proposed here, where the wash chambers aremounted as sliding drawers, the closing of the chambers prior tocommencement of the wash cycle is more complicated than withconventional front loading or above-bench top loading machines. It isundesirable to have users manually close a door to seal the open-toppedwash chamber prior to pushing the extended ‘drawer’ back into thecavity. It is preferable to have a closure which is actuated by theaction of retracting the wash chamber back into the cabinet.

In FIG. 1, a rigid closure or lid 217 is diagrammatically shown which ismounted in the top of the cabinet 203 for closing the open top of washchamber 201. Closure can be effected by mounting the lid in such a wayas to allow it to be mechanically forced downwardly on to the rim ofwash chamber 1 as the chamber is retracted into cabinet 203. One meansfor achieving this type of sealing action is disclosed in WO 93/12706,which utilises mechanical linkages in a parallelogram fashion to sealthe drawer during the last portion of travel of the wash chamber. Thepresent invention in contrast, with no cabinet or chassis, thus providesalternative solutions.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention (FIGS. 8–9) the lid320 forms part of a bracket 326, which effectively loops over the top ofthe drawer when closed, and mounts at its base to the base module 300.The drawer lid 320 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in a “closed position”,whereby the gasket 322 is compressed between the lid 320 and the rim 324of the wash chamber 308. In FIG. 11 showing a cutaway side view, the lid320 is shown in a raised position whereby the gasket 322 is unengagedwith the wash chamber so that the wash chamber 308 can be freelywithdrawn from the cavity 310.

The gasket 322, shown in more detail in FIG. 27, is effectively “L”shaped in cross section. There are two sealing edges, one edge 402 atthe end the first flange 408 (attached to the lid about in a groove 406running around the periphery thereof), and a second edge 404 at the endof the second flange 410 (attached to the end of the first flange). Whenthe lid is properly closed both flanges are deformed, and each of thesealing edges bears an approximately equal load. This provides anadvantage over prior art dual lip seals, the respective lips of whichgenerally do not bear equal loads, and therefore have unequal sealingeffectiveness. While in the preferred embodiment the gasket is L shapedin cross section, it will still be effective if the angle of the firstflange is less than 90° and the angle of the second flange is greaterthan 90° but less than 180°.

In a further improvement, the closure includes a moisture hood (notshown) around its periphery to ensure that when the drawer is withdrawnany excess steam is prevented from escaping into the cavity. As thiscavity will typically be constructed from timber, even small amounts ofresidual moisture, would be detrimental. The hood might include anexternal vent to the front, so as to direct the steam out of the cavity.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, the lid 330 might be mountedseparately within the cavity 332, individually from the base module 334and wash chamber 336.

Closure Mechanism

As already described, it is preferable that the mechanical act ofclosing the drawer should activate the drawer closure. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention this is achieved by a mechanicalarrangement connecting the closure to the base module.

Referring now to FIGS. 25 and 26 a first such mechanical arrangement, isillustrated which secures the closure on the wash chamber when closed. Ahinged link or arm 350, (one either side of the base module), ishingeably attached at one end 352 to the base module (300, FIG. 8), andhingeably attached at the other end 354 to the yoke 326. The yoke 326 isindependent of the base module, and loops over the top of the washchamber (308, FIG. 8) when fully retracted. The closure 320 is attachedto the underside of the uppermost portions 356 of the yoke 326. A spring358, (one either side of the base module), is hingeably attached at oneend 360 to the base module (at a different point to where the hingedmember is attached), and at the other end 354 is hingeably attached tothe yoke 326 (at the same point at which the hinged arm is attached).

At two points on the sides of the wash chamber, are abutments 362,366which are designed to cooperate with matching abutments 364,368 on theyoke. When the wash chamber is slid into the retracted position, thechamber abutments 362,366 provide a horizontal force on the yokeabutments 364,368. The action, (370, FIG. 26) of the hinged members 350,converts this horizontal force into a combined vertical component andhorizontal component force. This results in a downward and inwardmovement of the closure, as the retraction of the wash chamber iscompleted. In this fashion to a large extent as the lid comes down thegasket meets the outer lip of the wash chamber without substantialslippage, which would adversely affect sealing.

When the chamber is fully retracted the lower chamber abutment 366,becomes fully engaged with the yoke. As the chamber is slid inwardly,the yoke moves downwards, such that a further abutment 369 on the yoke,moves into a position behind the lower chamber abutment 366. Thus whenthe chamber is to be withdrawn the lower chamber abutment 366 acts onthe further abutment 369, to force the yoke outwards. The action of thehinged arm transforms the outward force on the yoke, to outwards andupwards components, to a point where the lower chamber abutment 366 isunengaged with the further abutment 369 and the chamber may be freelywithdrawn.

A further preferred mechanical arrangement is shown in FIGS. 28 to 30,which secures the closure on the wash chamber when closed. Again theclosure 420 is suspended on the underside of the uppermost portion ofthe yoke 422. A roller or cam-follower 424, is attached at the base ofthe yoke 422, and during the opening and closing process, interacts witha cam 426 attached to the base module. A torsion spring 428 is connectedbetween the base module 421 and the cam-follower 424, providing aprimarily downward force on the yoke.

In FIG. 29 we see the wash chamber in its retracted position. Aspreviously the chamber abutments 430 acting on the yoke abutments 432force the yoke inwards 423, and the spring 428 forces the yoke downwards425—the downward slope of the cam surface 434 allowing downward movementas the cam-follower 424 moves inwards. In the fully retracted position,as before the chamber abutment 430 is fully engaged with the yoke—afurther abutment 436 now being in a position behind the chamber abutment430.

When the chamber is to be withdrawn the chamber abutment 366 acts on thefurther abutment 436, to force the yoke outwards. The slope of thesurface 434, transforms the outward force on the yoke, to outwards andupwards components, to a point where the chamber abutment 430 isunengaged with the further abutment 436 and the chamber may be freelywithdrawn.

The arc 438 of the spring 428 is centred about a mid point on the camsurface 434. Thus in the retracted position the spring 428 forces theclosure 420 downward onto the chamber. In the withdrawn position, thespring 428 forces the closure 420 upwards clear of the chamber. Thus inboth such positions the closure will stay mechanically locked in placeuntil force is applied by the chamber abutment 430.

It will be appreciated that while these closure mechanisms have beendescribed with reference to a cabinet-less drawer dishwasher, they areapplicable to drawer dishwashers in general.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

With a dishwasher thus described as the present invention, it will beappreciated that a number of methods exist for effecting sealing of thewash chamber. Below are described examples of alternative sealingapparatus designed for use with the present invention so described.

The first of these is illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 18 to 20. Inthis case a rigid lid 217 is used as previously described, but is fixedin position above the closed wash chamber 201 and fitted with aperipheral inflatable gasket 18 located in vertical registration withrim 19 of wash chamber 201. In this embodiment when the wash chamber isfully retracted, member 18 is inflated as shown in FIG. 19 to sealablyengage with rim 19. In this case member 18 is the sealing member, but anequally suitable alternative would be to inflate a sealing membercarrier 250 interposed between the lid and sealing member 251 as shownin FIG. 31.

A practical realisation of this embodiment is shown in more detail inFIG. 20. Wash chamber 201 is formed with a flanged rim 19 which in useprovides a seat for inflatable gasket 18. In FIG. 20 the wash tub 201 isindicated as being fully retracted with gasket 18 being inflated so asto sealably engage rim 19.

A rigid lid 217 is as described in the preferred embodiment attached toa bracket 400 which is mounted to the stationary carriage of the slidingrails. Lid 217 is essentially fixed in relation to the under benchcavity. Provided at the periphery of its underside is a channel 31 forretaining gasket 18.

Gasket 18 is moulded from an elastic plastics material and is formed asan indefinite length. A ribbed extension 32 is integrally moulded on thetop surface of the gasket to engage in channel 31 in lid 217 to therebyengage the gasket to the lid.

A further alternative is shown in FIG. 12 where lid 217 and the rim 19of wash chamber 201 are provided with complementary inclined edges alongthe sides thereof. A resilient sealing member is disposed about theperiphery of lid 17. When wash chamber 201 is fully retracted in cabinet203 it seals against lid 17 by virtue of the wedging action that resultsas a result of the fore-aft inclinations of the lid and chamber rim.

In another alternative configuration (not shown) a flat rigid lid isprovided with a peripheral flexible gasket which cooperates with meanson the wash chamber rim so that positive sealing between the lid andwash chamber is achieved by a pure sliding action when the chamber isretracted.

FIGS. 13 to 15 show alternative embodiments where instead of the use ofa rigid lid, a flexible closure is used. In FIG. 13 a curtain typeclosure 24 is fixed along edge 25 to the rear segment 26 of wash chamberrim 19. Curtain 24 is retractably stored on a spring-loaded roller 27mounted in the top front of the dishwasher cavity. When wash chamber 201is withdrawn, curtain 24 is taken up on roller 25 whereas when the washchamber is retracted, curtain 24 is played off roller 25 to fully coverthe open top of the wash chamber 201.

FIG. 14 shows a flexible closure 27 provided with a concertina typeconfiguration and mounted in slides provided in the top sides of thedishwasher cavity. When the wash chamber 201 is withdrawn as shown inFIG. 15, closure 27 folds up due to concertina action whereas when thewash chamber is retracted as shown in FIG. 14 a closure 27 is opened outso as to lie flat along the top of the wash chamber.

In addition to using a moving or expanding sealing member onto the topof the wash chamber when it is retracted into the cabinet a separateseal support carrier may be interposed between the periphery of the lidand the sealing member with closure being achieved by lowering thesupport carrier. This is shown in FIG. 32, where a seal support carrier252 is attached to lid 217 by an expandable skirt 253. A variety ofactuator means giving reciprocal motion can be used to move the sealcarrier.

An alternative flexible closure arrangement is shown in FIG. 35. Anendless belt 260 mounted on rollers 261 having a width equally to thewidth of the wash chamber and spacing between rollers approximatelyequal to the length of the wash chamber covers the top of the chamberwhen it is fully retracted.

The rollers 261 are mounted at a fixed height in the top of thedishwasher cavity. The top edge of the rear wall 262 of the chamber isfixed to the belt 260 so that it is rotated and given the same linearmotion as the chamber as it is slid closed. A pressure pad 263 may beused to ensure sealing of the belt against the wash chamber and the beltmay be stiffened by a series of spaced apart transverse battens.

In the embodiments so far described the closure 217 is essentially fixedin the vertical direction within the cavity, whether rigid or flexible.In the following embodiments the closure is moved downwards by variousmeans to sealably close the open top of wash chamber 201.

A first such embodiment is shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. Here a peripheralresilient sealing member 20 is disposed on the underside of lid 217while an inflatable annular member 21 is used to force lid 217 downwardin a vertical direction to seal against rim 19 of the wash chamber asshown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. Here lid 217 ismounted in the top of the cavity so as to be movable in a verticaldirection from the position shown in FIG. 23 to the position shown inFIG. 24. Sealing is achieved by providing flange configurations aroundthe edge of the lid and in the top of the wash chamber wall so that whenclosed, as shown in FIG. 24, an impassable labyrinthic fluid path 22 isformed to thereby effectively seal the wash chamber. The lid and washchamber flange configuration form a pressure equalisation chamber whichensures wash liquid does not escape. This configuration of lid can alsobe used in a fixed lid mode if the rear wall of the wash chamber is ofreduced height to provide clearance for the lid flanges as it is slidinto the closed position.

In addition to the labyrinthic path configuration sealing may beassisted by flexible deformable sliding members 264 shown in FIG. 36and/or by a linear brush member 265 shown in FIG. 37.

An alternative means of raising and lowering a rigid lid is shown inFIGS. 33 and 34. Compression springs 253 apply a lifting force to lid217 and maintain it in a normally open position. Tension springs 254 areused to apply a closing force to the lid when the wash chamber is fullyretracted. Tension is applied by a roller 255 attached to one end of thespring travelling over cam or ramp 256 prior to full retraction of thewash chamber. A latch 257 maintains tension in the spring after theroller has passed over cam 256. This is released when it is laterdesired to raise the lid. A second latch 258 takes the downward forcedue to the extended spring 254 until the wash chamber is fully retractedwhereupon it releases member 259 to allow a closing (lowering force) tobe applied to lid 217.

Another mechanism for raising and lowering a rigid lid is shown in FIGS.38 to 40. A cam and cam follower arrangement is used as follows. Lid 217is mounted in the top of the cavity on compression springs 270 althoughrestricted against horizontal movement. Wash chamber 201 is providedwith cam surfaces 266 and 267 on the outside of each side wall whichengage corresponding rollers 268 and 269 as the chamber is movedhorizontally to the retracted position. Surface 266 first contactsroller 268 and causes the front of lid 217 to lift as shown in FIG. 39.Similarly surface 267 contacts roller 269 and lifts the rear end of lid217 as the wash chamber is retracted further. At the end of horizontaltravel (FIG. 40) the rollers move down into the semi-circular portionsof cam surfaces 266 and 267 under the influence of springs 270 to lowerthe lid 217 onto the top of the wash chamber and close it.

This cam and cam follower technique can be used with the wedgedconfiguration of lid and wash chamber walls which was shown in FIG. 18.This can assist in achieving an increased sealing force by providing avertical force component in addition to the horizontal component causedby pushing the wash chamber into the cavity. A cam and cam followerarrangement can also be used to raise and lower the rear end of the lidin constructions where the front of the lid is pivoted about atransverse horizontal axle at a fixed height in the upper front of thecavity.

1. A washing appliance having no cabinet or wrapper for mounting withina cavity in a building structure or joinery comprising: (a) a basemodule adapted to be mounted by the use of fastening means to at leastone inner face of said cavity, (b) a wash system slidably mounted tosaid base module whereby in use said wash system may be withdrawnhorizontally out of said cavity for access thereto, said wash systemincluding: (i) an open top wash chamber adapted to accommodate items tobe washed and within which wash liquid is circulated, said wash chamberhaving a top peripheral rim, (ii) means for introducing and circulatingwash liquid within said chamber, (iii) means for evacuating wash liquidfrom said chamber, and (c) a wash chamber closure mounted to said basemodule, which closure covers the open top of said wash chamber onretraction of the wash chamber into said cavity, (d) said closure havingmeans for sealing which cooperate with the top of said chamber in thevicinity of said rim thereby preventing the egress of wash liquid fromthe wash chamber, when it is retracted into said cavity.
 2. A washingappliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein said closure is a rigid lid. 3.A dishwasher constructed according to the washing appliance as claimedin of claim
 2. 4. A washing appliance as claimed in claims 1 or 2,wherein said means for sealing comprise a sealing member disposed aboutthe periphery of the under side of said lid to engage with the rim ofsaid chamber when said wash chamber is retracted into said cavity.
 5. Adishwasher constructed according to the washing appliance as claimed inof claim
 4. 6. A washing appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidwashing appliance further comprises a linkage arrangement including atleast one hinged link member, one end of each member being hingablyconnected to said base module and the other end of each member beinghingably connected to said closure, to provide the closure with twodegrees of freedom such that an inwardly directed force causes saidclosure to move inwardly and downwardly and an outwardly directed forcecauses said closure to move outwardly and upwardly, and complementaryabutting means provided on said closure and said wash chamber, saidmeans abutting on substantially full retraction of said wash chamberwithin said cavity and on initial withdrawal of said wash chamber fromwithin said cavity with continued displacement of said wash chamberafter abutment providing respective closing and opening forces to saidclosure to cause it to close against or open away from said wash chamberopening.
 7. A dishwasher constructed according to the washing applianceas claimed in of claim
 6. 8. A dishwasher constructed according to thewashing appliance as claimed in claim 1.